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The Winchester Codex
Books can be dangerous. Fitz believes he is guardian of one of the most dangerous of all - The Winchester Codex was responsible for wiping out the entire draconic race, of which he is one of the last vestiges. Caught in a trap from the deep time of history, the dragon had vowed to protect the book’s author. Yet in the 21st century, what relevance does this ancient manuscript have? He hides the codex in his attic and tries to forget about it.
A surprise visit from a friend leads to one last quest, forcing them both to confront their past.
In Swansea, Fitz and his friend Perceval happen upon a temporarily homeless teenager who joins them on a walk around the coast of Wales to raise funds for charity and records everything on social media.
But not all their followers are benign. Someone wants the codex that has lain neglected in Fitz’s attic for centuries and wants it badly. What started as a simple walk, ends with a journey into darkness and to the gates of death.
A surprise visit from a friend leads to one last quest, forcing them both to confront their past.
In Swansea, Fitz and his friend Perceval happen upon a temporarily homeless teenager who joins them on a walk around the coast of Wales to raise funds for charity and records everything on social media.
But not all their followers are benign. Someone wants the codex that has lain neglected in Fitz’s attic for centuries and wants it badly. What started as a simple walk, ends with a journey into darkness and to the gates of death.
- GenresFantasy
336 pages, Paperback
Published December 8, 2023
1 person is currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 7, 2024
This story blends ancient history and mythology with modern elements in a quirky and unique tale. The story revolves around Fitz, supposedly the last dragon and guardian of a dangerous book. A surprise visit from an old friend leads to a strange quest that eventually forces them both to confront the past.
At its heart, the novel is a delightful exploration of friendship and the unexpected connections that bind us together. Their quest involves a rather eclectic group — the last dragon who is mostly interested in gardening, a temporarily homeless teenager, a multicolored horse, and an out-of-touch knight. Together, they embark on a coastal walk in Wales to raise funds for charity, documenting their adventure on social media.
Spurrier's narrative style is infused with humor, making the journey an enjoyable and entertaining experience. The banter between the characters, particularly the old friends Fitz and Perceval, adds a charming layer to the story. I adore how confused Perceval is about the modern world and how Fitz has to explain these things to him. Despite its charm, the novel explores deeper themes beneath its lighthearted surface.
While the story unfolds as a simple walk for charity, it soon transforms into a journey into darkness and the gates of death as someone seeks the long-neglected Winchester Codex. The plot twists kept me on my toes for sure and the suspense builds steadily throughout the novel. I did NOT expect that ending but it was apropos.
This book is WEIRD. But it's also a delightful and charming novel with its humor, unique characters, and unexpected twists.
Thanks to R&R Booktours for the copy. This is an honest review.
At its heart, the novel is a delightful exploration of friendship and the unexpected connections that bind us together. Their quest involves a rather eclectic group — the last dragon who is mostly interested in gardening, a temporarily homeless teenager, a multicolored horse, and an out-of-touch knight. Together, they embark on a coastal walk in Wales to raise funds for charity, documenting their adventure on social media.
Spurrier's narrative style is infused with humor, making the journey an enjoyable and entertaining experience. The banter between the characters, particularly the old friends Fitz and Perceval, adds a charming layer to the story. I adore how confused Perceval is about the modern world and how Fitz has to explain these things to him. Despite its charm, the novel explores deeper themes beneath its lighthearted surface.
While the story unfolds as a simple walk for charity, it soon transforms into a journey into darkness and the gates of death as someone seeks the long-neglected Winchester Codex. The plot twists kept me on my toes for sure and the suspense builds steadily throughout the novel. I did NOT expect that ending but it was apropos.
This book is WEIRD. But it's also a delightful and charming novel with its humor, unique characters, and unexpected twists.
Thanks to R&R Booktours for the copy. This is an honest review.
March 11, 2024
What a fun and quirky read! For starters, there’s just a dragon brambling about in civilization like any other human would, and he even wrote a book! About…bees.
It’s a modern quest with old elements. Like imagine a dragon and multicolored horse using social media and a cell phone on a quest! It’s for charity reasons but still. It’s an unlikely group of friends, but it makes for such a unique read.
I feel like the cover doesn’t prepare you for a weird read (not in a bad way though) so here’s your warning.
Thanks R&R Book Tours for the copy!!
It’s a modern quest with old elements. Like imagine a dragon and multicolored horse using social media and a cell phone on a quest! It’s for charity reasons but still. It’s an unlikely group of friends, but it makes for such a unique read.
I feel like the cover doesn’t prepare you for a weird read (not in a bad way though) so here’s your warning.
Thanks R&R Book Tours for the copy!!
May 26, 2025
‘But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep …’
— from Robert Frost’s ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’.
This is about a bound volume of manuscripts composed in the ninth century in Alfred the Great’s capital and illuminated by the monks of Caldey Island. It’s also about a charity walk around some of the coast of Wales in the second decade of the 21st century by a quartet of miscellaneous individuals.
In addition, it’s about the hazards of being on the cusp of legal adulthood, and about fear and loathing regarding difference, to which we can add neglect, superstition, and greed. But it’s also about stewardship, and interconnectedness, and about love.
Oh, and did I mention it’s a quest? A schoolgirl from Newport, South Wales joins a knight who has somehow survived the centuries, his horse who – chameleon-like – can change colour, and a dragon who likes nothing better than herblore and tending his garden. As Dorothy might’ve said to Toto, “We’re not in our world any more.”
The Winchester Codex is a complex narrative with many ideas – not all of which are resolved, which adds to the complexity – but which still takes the reader to a satisfying conclusion … of sorts. The strand which is Anna Burns is the most straightforward: she’s a 17yo school student in her final year of full-time education, but home life is tricky. Her difficult alcoholic mother is in hospital, and having to stay with her mum’s acquaintances proves problematic for a number of reasons.
A rare school visit to the Natural History Museum brings her into contact with Fitz, one of the last dragons still alive. He’s trying to promote his rewilding book but people either mistake him for a dinosaur or only want to know if he really breathes fire. A little later Anna’s on the road to Swansea to get away from vicious nagging and male pests.
Meanwhile Fitz, who’s now quietly minding his own business in a remote cottage in the Black Mountains above Abergavenny, gets a visit from his old acquaintance Perceval and his horse Oscar, off on his eternal quest for the holy grail. Fitz reluctantly joins them, though he’s more interested in rare plants.
And so the trek around Wales begins, which takes us from near Patrishow in the Black Mountains to a sinister castle on an island off the coast of North Wales, interrupted by a lengthy section recounting how Perceval and Fitz first met in the time of Alfred the Great. It’s then that we learn of the mysterious Meghan of Caerphilly, the origins of the Winchester Codex, the ongoing Viking wars and the origins of the Ancient Order of Dragonslayers. Back in the 21st century, with the trek turning into a charity fundraiser garnering thousands of followers on social media, should the quartet be worried about Anna’s legal position and about a certain Michael Niemand, a sinister figure whose surname is German for ‘No-one’?
The author packs a lot into what I assume is a debut novel, both in terms of seeming MacGuffins – the grail, the codex – and in terms of tone: some of the modern Welsh sequences dip into comic fantasy (emphasised by the illustrations) while episodes in ninth-century Wessex turn a little darker, and even suggest touches of romantasy. The effect at times is to give an unfocused feel, yet the narrative still manages to draw the reader on to know where circumstances will lead our motley crew.
There are moments too of stillness, as in the contemplation of Indra’s net, of passages evoking the countryside and the natural world, and of a deep melancholy with a divided world. As someone now living in Wales I was familiar with most of the places mentioned, even those such as the village of Llangennlys – ‘St Cenau’s court’ – that are notionally fictional, so there was a sense of rootedness, both in this ancient country and across the Bristol Channel in Saxon Wessex.
But our attention is ever on Anna, Perceval, Oscar, and Fitz – their relationships, their squabbles, their loyalties, their futures – and it’s their irrepressible personalities which really ensure we want to read on to the very end: and, given the author’s nod to Robert Frost’s poem, we want to know what are the promises they want to keep after the miles they’ll have walked.
March 3, 2024
“ℳ𝒶𝓎𝒷𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒾𝓈𝒽𝑒𝒹. 𝒪𝓇 𝓃𝑜𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝓌𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒.”
This book became a new all time favorite of mine, I am obsessed with it and so sad that I finished it… But wow, I devoured this novel!
This book surprised me in so many aspects, one of the main character was a dragon who is not the last dragon on earth but the humans definitely make it feel like it. There was so many thought-provoking things to ponder about. The world imagine dragons as violent creatures and when they find out the truth in an interview with Fitz the dragon they are disappointed by they standards how boring Fitz is who loves gardening and only flies to the supermarket. It was so interesting to think about all the things that came up in the book. But also this was such an adventurous and interesting journey to read about, I felt like I was walking with Fitz, Perceval and Anna and of course Oscar the horse who can change colors. There was also so many fun conversations, intriguing historical stories. I loved the friendship between them so much, it was heartwarming to read. This was a beautifully written book the author’s first novel which I’m definitely shocked because she’s just so talented and this book was unlike anything I’ve ever read.
I highly highly recommend to read this masterpiece of a book to everyone!
This book became a new all time favorite of mine, I am obsessed with it and so sad that I finished it… But wow, I devoured this novel!
This book surprised me in so many aspects, one of the main character was a dragon who is not the last dragon on earth but the humans definitely make it feel like it. There was so many thought-provoking things to ponder about. The world imagine dragons as violent creatures and when they find out the truth in an interview with Fitz the dragon they are disappointed by they standards how boring Fitz is who loves gardening and only flies to the supermarket. It was so interesting to think about all the things that came up in the book. But also this was such an adventurous and interesting journey to read about, I felt like I was walking with Fitz, Perceval and Anna and of course Oscar the horse who can change colors. There was also so many fun conversations, intriguing historical stories. I loved the friendship between them so much, it was heartwarming to read. This was a beautifully written book the author’s first novel which I’m definitely shocked because she’s just so talented and this book was unlike anything I’ve ever read.
I highly highly recommend to read this masterpiece of a book to everyone!
February 29, 2024
It was a very fun, entertaining, and highly amusing read.
Lots of humour and friendly banter, from a band of unlikely friends. (Misfits)
The story follows Fitz, and his old friend Perceval.
It was full of adventure, and it also had some great historical facts that provided quite an insight.
I enjoyed the writing style. It had great descriptions and was very visual. And the world building was very unique, nothing like anything I have previously read.
Lots of humour and friendly banter, from a band of unlikely friends. (Misfits)
The story follows Fitz, and his old friend Perceval.
It was full of adventure, and it also had some great historical facts that provided quite an insight.
I enjoyed the writing style. It had great descriptions and was very visual. And the world building was very unique, nothing like anything I have previously read.
February 17, 2024
Fitz is not quite the last dragon left in the world, but he certainly feels as though time has left him behind. Though the rest of the world is intent on imagining dragons as violent creatures who want to do nothing but burn things down and destroy villages, Fitz really wants nothing more than to be left alone in his cottage in Wales, where he is happy with his garden, his bees, and his baking. But Fitz has something else in his cottage- a millennia-old book containing ancient wisdom that many would kill to obtain. When his old friend Perceval comes to Fitz to ask for his help on one last quest, Fitz must finally stir from his comfortable life and face the fact that his past is not ready to let go of him. When the questing pair makes friends with a teenager on the run, their adventure takes on a twenty-first-century flair when the teen, Anna, suggests they document their walk along the Welsh coast on social media. They gain thousands of followers, but not everyone is there to cheer them on. There are people who know what book Fitz has, and will do anything to take it and its wisdom for themselves.
Grim and gritty fantasy novels have been all the rage for quite some time, and it can be difficult to find a fantasy novel that is straight-up fun and charming. Fortunately, we are starting to see more books where earnestness and friendship are features and not flaws- cozy fantasies where the characters get along with each other, do their best to make amends after arguments, and are perfectly happy to sit down in a soft chair with a cup of tea and a pastry and tell stories around the fire.
The Winchester Codex is just such a book. Fitz and Perceval are perfectly charming characters with a long history of adventures and misadventures behind them. Though they haven’t seen each other for a long time, they pick up right where they left off, and it doesn’t take much convincing for Perceval to get Fitz out of his comfortable cottage and into the wild blue yonder. Their banter is always amusing- especially with they meet up with Anna and end up dealing with social media. They’re already outsiders in time, and seeing a dragon and a knight trying to fathom something like Instagram is especially amusing.
Though most of the book is devoted to Fitz, Perceval, and Anna’s quest in modern Wales, there is a historical interlude involving Alfred the Great and his fight to save his kingdom from the oncoming Viking armies. Here, the historical details are pretty much spot on and provide insights into English history (albeit, an alternate history with dragons) and into Fitz and Perceval’s background. This, too, has plenty of charm, and is worth the diversion from the main story.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel featuring a band of unlikely friends going on an adventure together combined with humor and self-reflection, The Winchester Codex is an excellent book to start with.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with both an eBook and a physical copy of the book.
Grim and gritty fantasy novels have been all the rage for quite some time, and it can be difficult to find a fantasy novel that is straight-up fun and charming. Fortunately, we are starting to see more books where earnestness and friendship are features and not flaws- cozy fantasies where the characters get along with each other, do their best to make amends after arguments, and are perfectly happy to sit down in a soft chair with a cup of tea and a pastry and tell stories around the fire.
The Winchester Codex is just such a book. Fitz and Perceval are perfectly charming characters with a long history of adventures and misadventures behind them. Though they haven’t seen each other for a long time, they pick up right where they left off, and it doesn’t take much convincing for Perceval to get Fitz out of his comfortable cottage and into the wild blue yonder. Their banter is always amusing- especially with they meet up with Anna and end up dealing with social media. They’re already outsiders in time, and seeing a dragon and a knight trying to fathom something like Instagram is especially amusing.
Though most of the book is devoted to Fitz, Perceval, and Anna’s quest in modern Wales, there is a historical interlude involving Alfred the Great and his fight to save his kingdom from the oncoming Viking armies. Here, the historical details are pretty much spot on and provide insights into English history (albeit, an alternate history with dragons) and into Fitz and Perceval’s background. This, too, has plenty of charm, and is worth the diversion from the main story.
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel featuring a band of unlikely friends going on an adventure together combined with humor and self-reflection, The Winchester Codex is an excellent book to start with.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with both an eBook and a physical copy of the book.
March 13, 2024
I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. The cover photo is quite intriguing and I instantly knew that I had to read this book.
In this whimsical narrative, the threads of ancient lore and contemporary quirks are intricately woven together. At the heart of the tale is Fitz, the presumed final dragon, who stands as the vigilant protector of a tome fraught with peril. An unexpected reunion with a long-lost companion embarks them on an enigmatic journey, one that inexorably draws them towards a reckoning with their shared history.
The writing skills of the author are beautiful and I was engaged throughout the book without getting bored. I had a great time Reading it while drinking coffee. Through her Captivating writing style I could visualise myself in that world and see the whole plot unfolding in front of my eyes Little by little.
Fitz and Perceval, the endearing duo, boast a storied tapestry of escapades. Despite the chasm of time since their last encounter, their camaraderie resumes without missing a beat. With little persuasion, Perceval coaxes Fitz from his cozy abode to the vast expanse of the unknown. Their witty exchanges are a delight, reaching new heights of humor when they cross paths with Anna and navigate the labyrinth of social media. As anachronisms in the modern era, the spectacle of a dragon and a knight grappling with the intricacies of Instagram is nothing short of hilarious.
I will highly recommend this book. Grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as I did.
#NetGalley
In this whimsical narrative, the threads of ancient lore and contemporary quirks are intricately woven together. At the heart of the tale is Fitz, the presumed final dragon, who stands as the vigilant protector of a tome fraught with peril. An unexpected reunion with a long-lost companion embarks them on an enigmatic journey, one that inexorably draws them towards a reckoning with their shared history.
The writing skills of the author are beautiful and I was engaged throughout the book without getting bored. I had a great time Reading it while drinking coffee. Through her Captivating writing style I could visualise myself in that world and see the whole plot unfolding in front of my eyes Little by little.
Fitz and Perceval, the endearing duo, boast a storied tapestry of escapades. Despite the chasm of time since their last encounter, their camaraderie resumes without missing a beat. With little persuasion, Perceval coaxes Fitz from his cozy abode to the vast expanse of the unknown. Their witty exchanges are a delight, reaching new heights of humor when they cross paths with Anna and navigate the labyrinth of social media. As anachronisms in the modern era, the spectacle of a dragon and a knight grappling with the intricacies of Instagram is nothing short of hilarious.
I will highly recommend this book. Grab your copy today and you will definitely enjoy reading it as much as I did.
#NetGalley
March 6, 2024
Poor Fitz thinks he is the last of his kind. He is entrusted with protecting the Codex but when he tries to forget it fate gets in his way and he winds up on an adventure with an old Knight buddy and a homeless teenage girl. This book was sad at times. It flashes back in forth between the past and present much like walking down a scenic path with sweeping vistas at every turn. It was a nice change of pace and made me think back to Bilbo and Don Quixote. I felt like I was watching an old Wishbone episode. I loved the idea of Dragons just being slightly larger than people and walking among us looking at exhibits in a museum
February 22, 2024
This was a fun & entertaining story! The Blurb makes this book sound interesting & it was but I was surprised by how entertaining it was! I sat down one afternoon & by that evening I had finished the book! It has adventure, humor, history & friendship! The historical descriptions where fantastic! It talks about Alfred the Great & the Vikings! Definitely a good read! I would love to read more about these characters! So hopefully there will be another book! Thank you RR Book Tours & Frances Spurrier for sharing this wonderful book with me!
March 5, 2024
I was excited for this one because it sounded so good. I can definitely see how it would appeal to many people.
It was written really well but I didn't gel with the characters and so I found it difficult to be invested in it. I am very much of the opinion that not every book is for everyone.
The premise of the story is an interesting one and I would definitely be interested in a story about Meghan and finding out more about her.
It was written really well but I didn't gel with the characters and so I found it difficult to be invested in it. I am very much of the opinion that not every book is for everyone.
The premise of the story is an interesting one and I would definitely be interested in a story about Meghan and finding out more about her.
March 6, 2024
The Winchester Codex is a fantasy and time jump story, It features the guardian of the codex, which is responsible for the wipeout of the draconic race. I found this story to be highly amusing with the banter and characters! Fitz and Perceval are great characters and their friendship feels so real! I enjoyed this book and the plot, the author did a fantastic job with the details. Fans of dragons, fantasy, and modern times will like this one.
January 31, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed The Winchester Codex! It was so completely not what I was expecting ... in a good way! The blurb looked interesting but I was in for a very pleasant surprise. The story is fun, sweet and entertaining. A dragon, Fitz, and a knight, Perceval, go off on a quest in the 21st century. Along the way a runaway, Anna, joins them and the quest turns into something so much more. Friendship, a noble cause and a kidnapping! There are laugh out loud moments and a colour changing horse, a wild mother and delusional dragon slayers. An awesome read.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2024
Fitz feels like an oddity, an anomaly. He may or may not be the last dragon in the world but he's definitely the loneliest. Fitz is happy enough in in his little piece of Wales - he even wrote a book - about bees!
The chance for another adventure with his friend Perceval gives Fitz a new lease on life, a chance for one last hurrah. Enter an on the run teenager with an aptitude for Social Media and their quest has taken a particularly 21st century turn! But as usual not all their new followers want them to win - the trolls are out in force too.
Witty, warm and cosy fantasy with a decidedly modern Britain bent. They argue, they make up but their common goal is always at the heart of things. Like many friends, Perceval and Fitz don't have to be in constant contact - they can pick up their conversation like they saw each other yesterday. They are brilliantly anachronistic in their outlook on things, learning about SM from Anna was a complete hoot to watch.
The chance for another adventure with his friend Perceval gives Fitz a new lease on life, a chance for one last hurrah. Enter an on the run teenager with an aptitude for Social Media and their quest has taken a particularly 21st century turn! But as usual not all their new followers want them to win - the trolls are out in force too.
Witty, warm and cosy fantasy with a decidedly modern Britain bent. They argue, they make up but their common goal is always at the heart of things. Like many friends, Perceval and Fitz don't have to be in constant contact - they can pick up their conversation like they saw each other yesterday. They are brilliantly anachronistic in their outlook on things, learning about SM from Anna was a complete hoot to watch.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews